health
Why Wall Street Sees a $39,800 Pancreatic Cancer Pill as Proof of a Much Bigger Bet
The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved Rasonque, a once-daily pill developed by Revolution Medicines to block several forms of the RAS protein — the mutation that drives tumor growth in most pancreatic cancers, and in roughly a quarter of all human cancers overall. For investors like Dr. Danish Nagda, an early shareholder in Revolution, the approval matters less for what it does in pancreatic cancer than for what it proves: that a mechanism long considered “undruggable” finally works — and works in one of oncology’s hardest cases.
TL;DR
- The FDA approved Rasonque, a once-daily pill from Revolution Medicines, to block the RAS protein, which drives tumor growth in many cancers, including most pancreatic cancers.
- This approval validates a mechanism long considered 'undruggable' and is seen as a major breakthrough for pancreatic cancer treatment.
- Rasonque is approved for adults with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma who have failed prior treatment, showing a median survival of 13.2 months compared to 6.7 months on standard chemotherapy.
- The drug cuts the risk of death by 60% and delays disease progression and symptom worsening.
- RAS mutations are found in about a quarter of all human cancers, making Rasonque a potential platform for broader cancer therapies.
- Revolution Medicines has set a list price of $39,800 for a 30-day supply, with patient assistance programs available.
- Pancreatic cancer has a low survival rate, with about 80% of patients diagnosed after the cancer has spread.